Dirigible light projector



M. P. NICHOLS.

DIRIGIBLE LIGHT PROJECTOR.

APPLICATION FILED 11111.2.1920.

1,416,119. Pat nt d 1116,1922.

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MALCOLM P. NICHOLS, OF NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT.

DIRIGIBLE LIGHT PROJECTOR.

Specification of Letters Patent. l atentad Ditty 16, 1922,,

Application filed January 2 1920. Serial No. 348,801.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MALooLM P. NICHOLS, a citizen of the United States, residing at New Haven, in the county of New Haven and State of Connecticut, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Dirigible Light Projectors; and I do hereby declare the following, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and the characters of reference marked thereon, to be a full. clear, and exact description of the same, and which said drawings constitute part of this application, and represent, in-

Fig. 1 a aiew mainly in side elevation and partly in vertical section of a dirigible light-projector constructed in accordance with my invention and shown in connection with the deck and instrument board of a boat.

Fig. 2 a view thereof in front elevation.

Fig. 3 a view in horizontal section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 a detached view in end elevation of one of the spacing bars of the flexible connection.

Fig. 5 a view of the same in side elevation, but showing in addition a universaljoint block in position in one of its notched ends.

This invention relates to an improvement in dirigible light-projectors, and particularly to that class of light-projectors which are operated or controlled from remote points.

Heretofore the distant or remote control of light projectors has been effected by gear, racks and pinions, or by cables and sheaves, with separate and distinct hand-wheels for controlling the vertical and horizontal movements respectively of the projected light-beam. These methods of control are either difiicult or slow of operation; often both.

The object of this invention is to produce a-simple and reliable mechanism whereby movements of alight beam in both the vertical and horizontal planes are effected byof parts, as willbe hereinafter described and particularly recited in the claims.

In carrying out my invention as herein shown, I employ a projector head 4 provided with the usual incandescent electric lamp bulb 5 and lens 6.

The head 4 is pivotally mounted for movement on a vertical plane, between the upstanding arms 7 of a fork-like member 8 by means of screw studs 9.

Extending downward from the lower central-portion of the member 8 is an integral tubular pivot 10, which enters and has rotary' movement in a bearin opening 11 pro vided for it in a base tting 12: which latter is secured in any convenient manner to the deck 13, or such part of a boat or other structure, as may be desired.

The construction above described is the same as .that ordinarily employed in light projector construction and may vary widely.

The pivot 10 is provided with a centrallongitudinal passage 14 for the accommopins 19.

Screwed into abos's 20 on the under face of the base 12, and extending downward and rearward therefrom is a quadrantal guide-tube 21 into which the lower end of the rod 15 extends and whereit is formed with a yoke 22.

The yoke 22' embraces the uppermost of a series of four corresponding blocks 23 which arespaced apart bythree corresponding spacingbars 24. The bars 24 are notched at their ends, as clearly shown in Figs. 4 and 5,. so as to embrace the blocks 23 to which they, as well as the 'yoke 22 and an operating rod yoke 25, are pivoted by means of pins 26. I I

All of the parts mentionedjin the preceding paragraph constitute in effect a flexible connection and will be hereinafter referred to as such.

The yokes 22 and 25 and the ends of the bars 24 are spherically contoured as at 27 so as to avoid the binding in the tube 21,

which wouldotherwise occur when the flexi- 110 ble member moves in the said tube as will herewith appear,

The yoke 25 is formed at the forward end of the forward part 28 of a twopart horizontal operating rod. The rear part 29 of the two-part operating rod is coupled to the forward part 28 by means of a sleeve 30 and set screw 31. At the rear end the part 29 projects through a bearing plate 32 secured to the instrument board 33 and is there provided with a controller handle 34.

Having fully described the construction of my improved light-projector, I shall now proceed to describe its operation. If the controller handle 34 be pulled rearward, it will cause a draft on the flexible connection,

which in turn draws downward on the rod 15, and hence the U-shaped link 18 with the effect of rocking the head 4, so as to raise the beam of light projected thereby. If, on the other hand, the handle 34 be pushed forward, the movement will be communicated to the head 4 through the intermediary of the two-rod-parts 28 and 29, flexible connection, rod 15 and link 18 withvthe effect of rocking the head 4 so as to depress the Searchlight beam. If, the handle 34 be turned in either direction, this movement will also be communicated to the head 4 through the chain of parts above mentioned, causing the fork 8 to turn in the bearing opening 11, and with it the head4, with the effect of correspondingly swinging the light beam in the horizontal plane.

From the foregoing it will be seen that with my improved construction and arrangement the movements of the hand in directing the light beam are both simple and instinctive. Thus, a pull serves to raise the beam of light, a push depresses it, and a turn will turn it in the horizontal plane.

Both the vertical and horizontal adjustments of the light beam may be effected at one and the same time by simultaneously turning and pushing (or pulling) the controller handle 34.. ,I do notwish to be understood as limiting my invention to any specific style of light-projector, nor to any particular type of flexible connection, since there are now a wide variety of both on the market suitable for my purpose, provided of course they are combined and arranged ciprocal flexible shaft connecting the said controller and the said head and whose opposite ends are rigidly supported for rotation and reciprocation in divergent planes, whereby the movements of the controller are transmitted to the head and means for preventing the buckling of the flexible-shaft.

2. In a dirigible light-projector, the combination with the head thereof, of mountings for the said head designed .to permit the-same to swing in diverse planes, 3. rotatable and reciprocal controller handle, a flexible shaft connecting the said handle and the said head, a curved guide tube for the said shaft, whereby the movements of the handle are transmitted to the head and whereby the flexible shaft is prevented from buckling.

3. In a dirigible light-projector, the combination with the head thereof, of mountings for the said head designed to permit the same to swing in diverse planes, a rotable and reciprocal controller handle, a

flexible shaft connecting the said handle and the said head through the mediary of a fork which straddles the head, a curved guide tube for the said shaft, whereby the movements of the handle are transmitted'to the head, and whereby the flexible shaft is-prevented from buckling.

In testimony whereof, I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

MALCOLM P. NICHOLS.

Witnemes: I

, J. HAROLD FLYNN,

RUTH M. ATWATER. 

